Inspiration from SWON's Spring 2016 Staff Training Symposium

At this season’s Staff Training Symposium at the Northwest Branch of the Dayton Metro Library we had a panel of library leaders discuss the innovations that have been taking place inside of their library systems. At the end of the day the rest of our attending library professionals had a chance to submit the innovations that they’ve been loving at their branches. Check out these great ideas!

“Reference and Circulation used to be very separate departments. We jointly staff the phones and Ask Me desk now, and everyone is more empowered to help patrons, rather than transferring them back and forth.”

“Dayton Metro is building New Branches and More is Coming!”

“We have a Write Now! teen creative writing group and a Beyoncé ‘Lemonade’ display (with books and music as recommendations to pair with the album).”

“CCPL is embracing our hearing impaired community. We had a silent dinner, two ASL movies, a silent crafting program, and have had ASL interpreters at our larger events.”

“We have a Tech Center with a 3D Printer!”

“We use an online study room reservation system (Dibs by Evanced software) at our public library. Although it’s new to us and not perfect, it is very convenient for our patrons. We still accept reservations by phone or in-person though!”

“We have a new focus on diversity, trying to become as open and friendly to all as possible.”

“Hold Shelf Surprise! We pull 2-3 books for a patron based on their likes. They give back a comment sheet so you can further pick things out for them.”

“We’ve been considering shelving our collection by subject rather than Dewey and I’m interested to see how it works.”

“The Xenia Main Branch of Greene County is creating a Maker Space Room!”

“At CCPL we have built raised garden beds and planted a sensory garden. Also we have labeled all music CDs by genre with colored labels. Rock is red and Country is dark blue.”